As we prepare for the coming spring with the Inner City Rec and Wellness Program, we are pleased to announce that our garden partner, Lady Flower Gardens, has found a student to support food security initiatives for community groups at the garden this summer. ICRWP takes a group out once a week all summer season to help plant, weed, and harvest for the Edmonton Food Bank.

Last month our floor hockey sportsmanship award was won by Steve! His emphasis on inclusion and acts of support for players that are still developing their skills contributes greatly to the quality of the program. Although Steve works out of town, he consistently comes to our programs when he is in town. He also participates in our Tuesday soccer program on occasion and brings the same great attitude whenever he is present.

Women’s Wellness aims to remove barriers and create opportunities for females in our inner city community to engage in physical activity and healthy living. ICRWP’s Women’s Wise Warrior Self-Defense Program wrapped up last month. We spent six sessions learning how to develop situational awareness, personal grounding exercises, making space to escape from an attacker, and other wellness and personal safety techniques. The content of these sessions helps women become more aware of their personal power. The program provided useful knowledge and resources as well as providing a fun and safe space for women to learn and laugh together.

Edmonton Sport and Social Club (ESSC) dropped off a load of donations for our programs last month. ESSC has been a huge supporter of our drop-in hockey and soccer programs. Through fundraisers and 50/50 raffles they have managed to bring a fresh supply of pads, sticks, balls, and more that will last us for the next couple of years at least! We are blessed to have the support of ESSC and other community organizations!

Plaza Bowl Co. recently sponsored ICRWP, providing not just healthy fun activities for our community members, but also putting on a fundraiser that resulted in a surprise donation for us! Amazing! We look forward to more trips to Plaza Bowl and continuing the great relationship that has been forged with them.

Rebecca Kaiser and Mike Siek are Program Coordinators with ICRWP.